Steadfast Race Prop Update

[RAD2LTR]

Re: Steadfast Race Prop Update

That prop looks sweet. I hope it will find you another few MPH (ok, more than a few.)

Good luck,
Will

[Whiteside]

Re: Steadfast Race Prop Update

Thanks for the input. The idea behind the blad design goes something like this. last years prop was super dc3 23e50 15 degrees of twist and pretty.thick.at half of the blade span. looks great and performed pretty good but I think we can do better. new prop is thinner airfoil section 23 deg. twist , 43d50. If we dont see an increas in speed this year then we will remove some material and change the shape for next year. I actually worked with another Yak owner who claims some pretty great performance and Matt Jackson who has flown the airplane. I have discussed the blade design with Dave Cornell and he also says that is the best we can do with an S2 prop. I flew another friends Sam Davis style S2 prop on Steadfast for the last month and after flight testing this new one I cannot tell a diff. between the two as far as speed is concerned. I can tell you that the sound of the new prop is totally unique. We have flown twice today and SteadFast is ready for Reno! Thanks for all of the support for the team we are going to make it.
Will

[Wayja]

Re: Steadfast Race Prop Update

Hey Missileer,

We built this prop with all of the information available using the S2 Tracker blades, with a few of our own. Although we expect some performance improvement with this prop, I view it more as a baseline for the super-prop that we are already working on for next year. That combined with some airframe clean up, and some race tricks on the R2000, Will should be able to really push the envelope and be a consistent Silver contender. Time will tell.

8 days, 12 hrs, 33 min to Reno!

Go Steadfast!


Wayne Johnson

[Bob]

Re: Steadfast Race Prop Update

Wayne and Team,

Sounds great.

My question was by no means a 'critique' so much as a bit of curiousity given that the roundies I see out there right now all have rounded tips.

Thanks

He is thinking out of the box and going square. lol

[Whiteside]

Re: Steadfast Race Prop Update

Yeah, no offense taken. To Havard up a few posts. Thanks, Yes, I have also experimented with low blade angle effecting landing roll on 3 propellers on SteadFast now. Like you said the downside, if one has the prop set for really good aerodynamic braking effect is that loss of the governor on takeoff would result in RPM's in excess of redline. That 1800 RPM number you stated at 30" M.P. would most certainly give you a loaded engine with no governor. I would really be trying to slow this thing down though on the runway resulting in a really long landing roll. Not sure which is worse!
Good comments though. Have you ever had the low stops set to produce 1800 RPM at Field Baro?
Will

[havard]

Re: Steadfast Race Prop Update

Hi Will
I was more concerned with an engine failer at speed with prop going flat to give you a little more time to get it on the ground . Maybe you have a way of feathering engine in that case . A friend in c-46 had the prop go flat in cruise 150 kts the engine was way over red line before he got it feathered . The worst part was it wouldn't hold alt on one ,he was down to 400ft on rader alt in the cloulds ,he started the runaway up at 90 kt and 30 "the rpm was 2900 . When clear of the high ground fearthered it,but his day wasn't over about 10 miles from the airport the good one got wet it banged and backed fired a few times in the end he made it.
2200 was the lowest we set for reference rpm in dc-3 . c-46 the brakes were so bad I have turned the mags off and then mixture as engines still have a fair amount of pull as were going off the end . If you pull the mixture only , they lean out giving you a burst of power. Good luck

[Pyrodude]

Re: Steadfast Race Prop Update

Will -

Prop looks awesome! Those squared off ends make it look like it really means business. If it doesnt work out I got a 4 bladed prop that I was told came off a P2V that you can try out!

Best of luck at Reno!

[Whiteside]

Re: Steadfast Race Prop Update

More pics of new setup

[Leo]

Re: Steadfast Race Prop Update

Looks meeeean!
Can't wait to hear it!

[WARPT]

Re: Steadfast Race Prop Update

Wayne and Team,

Sounds great.

My question was by no means a 'critique' so much as a bit of curiousity given that the roundies I see out there right now all have rounded tips.

Thanks

Not all roundies have rounded prop tips....
Check out the blades on Czech Mate. Looks awesome and seems to work GREAT!

WARPT